Senior Director of Media Relations

Senior Director of Media Relations

We seek a highly skilled and motivated Senior Director of Media Relations to join our team at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. This role is pivotal in shaping and promoting the public image of the school and the rapidly expanding academic medicine footprint at UT by developing and executing strategic media relations plans and relationships.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills; a deep understanding of the media landscape, development of strategic media content and outreach; and a proven record of managing media relationships in a health care or academic setting. In this role, you will build strong relationships as well as develop a robust understanding of Dell Med, UT’s comprehensive health care strategy, related strategic priorities, and supportive branding and messaging targets. You must be an active and engaged listener, a deft collaborator, a creative thinker, a savvy and empathetic communicator, and an effective strategist.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive media strategy to shape the image and enhance the national reputation of Dell Medical School and the academic medical center while simultaneously promoting local and regional awareness of value and impact.
• Collaborate across campus to ensure alignment with University priorities and ensure the media relations strategy is broadly inclusive of transdisciplinary work supporting health and well-being.
• Maintain consistent contact with subject-matter experts to seek out communications opportunities and ensure appropriate media coverage.
• Monitor the news cycle for opportunities and threats and analyze trends to inform communication strategies.
• Develop and maintain media plans and calendars.

Content Creation

• Conceptualize, research, write, edit, and distribute a range of products, including press releases, media kits, briefing documents, blog posts, op-eds, official organizational statements, and other media content aligned with strategy, branding, and messaging.
• Coordinate across Public Affairs to integrate institutional messaging and maximize integrated communications opportunities.

Relationships & Engagement

• Proactively cultivate strategic relationships with local, regional, and national journalists and influential media outlets to monitor and respond to their interests.
• Manage and grow a database of relevant contacts.
• Organize and coordinate media events, interviews, and press conferences.
• Manage media inquiries.
• Serve as public information officer and spokesperson for Dell Med, the medical center, and/or the University as needed, as part of issues management, emergency response, and other teams.

Training & Consultation

• Supervise media relations associates, providing guidance, mentorship, and support.
• Provide training and support to executives and subject-matter experts across the organization on media interaction, interviewing, and public speaking.
• Serve as a strategic media advisor to organization leaders.
• Play a key role in issues management, collaborating with executives, campus communications leaders, and other subject-matter experts.

Metrics & Evaluation

• Develop and implement metrics and tools to measure the effectiveness of media relations activity.
• Analyze data and feedback to continually improve strategies and tactics.
• Conduct or consult with outside professionals to monitor brand awareness, message penetration, sentiment, and other key performance indicators.
• Communicate insights to executives, peers, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field and ten (10) years of experience working as a professional communicator, including at least five (5) years in a managerial role and/or experience working as a journalist or other media role.
• Demonstrated understanding of media relations strategies, landscape, best practices, and emerging trends.
• Experience translating enterprise strategy into a comprehensive media relations plan that considers trends, issues, media market, and other key factors.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with organizational leaders to develop content, messaging, and effective communications skills for use in the media environment.
• Demonstrated skill as a leader and manager in coaching teams to achieve clearly defined objectives and key results.
• Proven ability to use intelligence tools such as Meltwater to conduct media monitoring and maximize the efficacy and reach of media relations.
• Demonstrated technical ability to produce accurate, grammatically sound written content, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and channels.
• Demonstrated technical ability to improve written content, including developmental, content, line, and copyediting.
• Ability to analyze complex data sets and communicate key insights via presentations, dashboards, spreadsheets, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain schedules while working as a team player.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a service-oriented mentality.
• Interest in meeting the demands of a rapidly growing organization with adaptability and eagerness to explore new communications opportunities.

To apply, submit resume and references through the application portal. Questions about the position may be directed to [email protected].edu.